Faversham Town travel to Champions League hopefuls

Tuesday 20th June 2006

Kent League newcomers Faversham Town will play European football regulars Cork City on their three-day trip to Ireland next month - article courtesy of www.favershamtownfc.co.uk

The reigning eircom League champions are managed by former Republic of
Ireland star Damien Richardson who had a short spell with the Lilywhites in the late 1980s.

Damien was known as Paddy the Magician during almost a decade as a player with Gillingham - a club he later managed for three years from 1989.

And he is looking forward to being reunited with many old friends at the Salters Lane club.

He said: "I was at Faversham for only a short while but I certainly enjoyed my time there. It's my pleasure to offer Faversham Town a game and we're looking forward to the team coming over."

Richardson - or Rico as he is know in Ireland - was only the third player in Gills history to score 100 goals and the first for 48 years to win an international cap.

And he has worked wonders with Cork City since taking the reins for his second spell at the Turner's Cross club in 2005.

The Rebel Army won the eircom League's Premier Division title last season and are now gearing up for an assault on the Champions League qualifiers.

Faversham Town will be taking 30 players and officials to Cork from 21-23 July in a trip funded by the club, the Players' Pool and the players themselves.

But there is just one snag as far as chairman Bob Mason is concerned - he cannot go!

Mr Mason played alongside Damien in the Faversham Town side of the late 1980s but has been forced to miss the trip because of his son Dan's wedding.

He said: "As you can imagine, I'm absolutely gutted but the dates clashed and that's that. And there was me seeing this trip as my chance for a run-out ahead of the new season!

"Damien's a great fella and we cannot thank him enough for agreeing to play us.

”Cork City are one of the biggest, if not the biggest, club in Ireland right now.

"They have a full-time set up playing summer soccer and that could be bad news for our boys because they are bang in the middle of their season.

"However, I'm sure our lads will give a good account of themselves. It'll be ideal preparation for the new season - we'll just have to keep them away from the Guinness the night before!"

Article courtesy of www.favershamtownfc.co.uk